W.Anverdeen v. Union Of India
2025:MHC:1981
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 30-07-2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE N. ANAND VENKATESH W.Anverdeen Petitioner(s) Vs 1.Union Of India Rep By Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi 110 001.
2.The Joint Secretary (PSP) / Chief Passport Officer Ministry of External Affairs PSP Division New Delhi - 110 001.
3.The Passport Officer Regional Passport Office, New Municipal Complex, Thillai Nagar, 7 th Cross, Tiruchirapalli 620 018.
4.The Inspector Of Police Kumbakonam Taluk Police Station, Page No.1 of 6
Thanjavur District- 612001 Crime No.1629/2020.
Respondent(s) PRAYER Directing the 3rd respondent herein to consider and process the petitioner's application number TR1074955143625 dated 15.04.2025 to renew the petitioner's passport pending on the file of the 3rd respondent. For Petitioner(s):
Mr.C.Santhosh Kumar For Respondent(s):
Mr.K.Balaji, CGC For R1 to R3 Mr.V.Meganathan, GA For R4
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed for the issue of a writ of mandamus directing the 3 rd respondent to act upon the application submitted by the petitioner dated 15.04.2025, wherein the petitioner is seeking for renewal of passport.
2. The learned Government Advocate appearing on behalf of the 4 th respondent submitted that a criminal case is pending in C.C.No.58 of 2025 on Page No.2 of 6
the file of Learned Judicial Magistrate - II, Kumbakonam.
3. The learned Central Government Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of the respondents 1 to 3 submitted that the notice was issued to the petitioner on 21.05.2025 asking the petitioner to appear before the 3 rd respondent on the ground that a criminal case is pending against the petitioner.
4. In the considered view of this Court, mere pendency of the criminal case is not a ground to deny the renewal of passport to the petitioner. Useful reference can be made to the order passed by the Hon'ble Division Bench in W.A.No.902 of 2023 dated 02.06.2023. The Hon'ble Division Bench has held that permission is not required for renewal of passport and such permission will be warranted only in a case where the person wants to leave India.
5. In view of the above, there shall be a direction to the 3 rd respondent to process the application submitted by the petitioner on 15.04.2025 and renew the passport for regular period, if the petitioner satisfies all the other requirements. Page No.3 of 6
This process shall be completed within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It goes without saying that if the petitioner wants to leave India, he has to necessarily seek permission of the Court, where the criminal case is pending.
6. In result, this Writ Petition is disposed of in the above terms. No costs. 30-07-2025 Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes Jeni Page No.4 of 6
To 1.Union Of India Rep By Secretary Ministry Of External Affairs, New Delhi 110 001.
2.The Passport Officer Regional Passport Office, New Municipal Complex, Thillai Nagar 7th Cross, Tiruchirapalli 620 018.
3.The Inspector Of Police Kumbakonam Taluk Police Station, Thanjavur District.
Page No.5 of 6
N.ANAND VENKATESH J.
Jeni 30-07-2025 Page No.6 of 6